Lift kit advice needed

Hey there,
I have a 2011 Limited and want to get it lifted. My main concern is reliability and so I need a kit that will NOT break on me when I need it most. What brand or type do you recommend and I'm considering 4" in the front and 6" in the back. I know nothing about lifts and so the more information you can provide the better.
Thanks

 

I wouldn't go more than 3" in the front and 2" in the rear to level it and allow for bigger tires. Really don't need more than that.

For a budget lift, I recommend 5100s w/ OME in the front, and Metal Tech + Icons in the rear. You can get standard Icons for around 300 or extended w/ remote reservoir for about 500. Not sure what OME springs go for the 5th gen, but I'm running 885s for about 3" in the front. You could probably get away without control arms in the front with that setup but you might have a hard time getting aligned correctly.

If you have money to spend, you can go Icon, Fox, or King. I do like my rear Icons and I'll upgrade to coil overs in the front when I get the cash.

 

3/2 is the typical lift amount for these independent front suspension and coil sprung rear vehicles. any more height and youre looking at either drop bracket or body lifts. 5100s are an excellent recommendation, lifetime warranty too

 

I'm installing Bilstein Struts & Shocks this weekend on my 2005 SR5. I'm concerned with the adjustable front Struts since I have a Toy Tec 3" Spacer kit in the front. Can I use these Spacers and set the snap ring on "Stock" for the Strut or should I just remove the Spacers and set the snap rings to the Top for 2.5" or (3") Front Lift? I'm replacing the Original Coil Springs with MOOG 's and they have 10 coils where the stock only have 6 or so. It doesn't look like I can compress the Springs enough to slip them under the Spacers no matter where the snap ring is set...

 

I'd skip the spacer in front and just use the adjustment on the 5100s with the new springs unless you only use the spacer and leave the 5100 at 0.

 

Sounds Good! Thanks

 

definitely go without the spacer, it'll ride fine

 

QUESTION: Why do most people go with a 3" (front) and 2" (rear) lift ---- 1" difference? When I measure the clearance on my truck the front is 2" lower than the rear. I bought 2" spacers (leveling kit) but based on what most of you are doing- only raising the front 1", will I be riding high in the front? BTW - I know that with larger tires you need to have the higher lift, and the 3/2 makes running 285's possible.. Just want to make sure I don't need a 1" spacer in front. Also, my spacer is actually just a hair over 1" but it is a 2" lift/leveler. http://supremesuspensions.com/product/2003-2016-toyota-4runner-fj-cruiser-front-lift-leveling-kit/
Thanks-

 

From what i understand it is because 2" levels the truck due to the natural rake, but most springs for the rear are 1.5-2" so the 3/2 keeps everything looking leveled. The rule for the front on spacers are 2:1 ratio. So 1" spacer lifts 2", 1.5" spacer lifts 3", but the rear is 1:1. So 1" is 1".

 

On the Bilsteins 5100 adjustable front struts it has 4 positions..."Stock"; "1"; "2" and "2.5"...they say the 2.5" setting will give you 3"...Right now I have MOOG Coil-Over front Springs that have 10 coils and I will have to compress the hell out of them to fit on the 2.5" setting. The factory Springs only have 6 or 7 coils and the spring thickness seems the same. Do the springs give you added lift or just the snap ring setting on the Strut? I don't have the original springs out yet for comparison...

 

I talked to a Tech at Bilstein who said the snap ring settings on the adjustable 5100 series will allow lifts of "0" (stock)...1"; 2" and 2.5" and this is with Factory equivalent Springs. If you go after market, with taller springs they can't tell you how much added height will occur and that your warranty from Bilstein will be voided. So, in theory (not practicality) if my new springs are say, 1" taller than Factory and I want 3" lift in front, I would set the snap ring at the 2" setting. The Springs do contribute to the amount of Lift, not just the setting on the Strut. I know a lot of people have installed Bilstein Struts and Shocks but they never mention what snap ring setting they set the Struts on...

 

I run OME 885 springs on the 5100s set at 0 and got about 3" of lift. I have no idea what the Moog springs will give you. You might gain an inch if they're stock replacements because your stock springs are going to be compressed from use/mileage. If nothing else, start at the 0 or first setting on the 5100, and go from there to get the height you want in the front.

 

Hey Thanks- I measured the MOOG springs and they are 13.5" Tall (passenger side) and 14.5" Tall (driver side) approximately. Do you know what lengths your OME 885 Springs are?

 

quick google search says 395mm, which is roughly 15.5"

 

OK- So I'm thinking I'll set my snap ring at 1" setting to get ~3" lift as yours are set at 0"...Thanks!

 

Yeah I haven't actually measured, but ~3" is the norm w/ the 885s on the V6 4th gen. It's easy enough to pull them back out and reset the retainer clip to a different setting if you end up higher or lower than you want.